The Hornets will be missing a big piece of their team for a while.
Center Al Jefferson will miss at least six weeks while he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, the team announced Wednesday.
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The surgery was to repair a tear in the lateral meniscus. An MRI exam revealed the damage.
Injuries have taken their toll on Jefferson since he joined the Hornets in 2013. The 11-year veteran averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds his first season in Charlotte while earning All-NBA Third Team honors. Those numbers have dropped to 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season after averages of 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.
Jefferson, 30, was also forced to sit out five games this season for violating the league's anti-drug program. In all, he missed 11 games between Dec. 2 and Dec. 23 due to the suspension and injuries.
Cody Zeller started in place of Jefferson for Charlotte's home game Wednesday against the Clippers.